The rise in the rate of claims may push criticism that cuts in government spending by Prime Minister David Cameron are too aggressive as he attempts to reduce Britain’s deficit. Consumer confidence is sagging, based in part on fears of job loss, and the country’s economy contracted in Q4 of...

The euro came within two cents of a five-week low after European Commission President Jose Barroso said the eurozone is confronting a “truly systemic crisis.” Word that the European Central Bank was buying up Spanish and Italian debt helped to reverse that fall, however.